Athens • Crete • Santorini • Mykonos
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for Athens, direct from Toronto.
Upon arrival in Athens we transfer to our hotel for a 4-night stay. Our hotel is located in the centre of Athens, a short distance from The Plaka - the oldest and most colourful section of Athens with churches, shops, cafes and ruins of ancient temples. It is a safe and delightful area to explore.
On our city tour of Athens we see wonders known around the world - Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, the Stadium, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the former Royal Palace and the government buildings. The highlight will be the Acropolis and Parthenon. Lunch will be at a typical taverna.
Our full day tour to Delphi begins with a drive into the mountains for a visit to Arahova, known for its colourful rugs and carpets. We then proceed to Delphi, once known as the centre of the world. Here we visit the temple of the Greek God Apollo, a beautiful site which evokes the classical past of this area. Those who wish may climb to the top of the theatre for incredible views of the countryside.
We cruise to the Saronic Islands via Aegina, a busy port in antiquity and today a tranquil resort. We continue on to Paros where we will enjoy a stroll by its enchanting little harbour, and then the quaint, colourful harbour of Hydra. Lunch is included. We return to Athens for our overnight.
We fly to Crete and transfer to our hotel for our 3-night stay. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Today’s excursion will include a visit to the Palace of Knossos - the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete that has been named Europe's oldest city at various points in history. We then visit the town of Heraklion and the Archaeological Museum, showcasing the most notable and complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete.
Today we will enjoy a full day tour of the countryside which will take us past vineyards and olive groves to Gortys - the old Greek and Roman town with ruins of Saint Titus Church. Then on to Phaistos for a visit of the Minoan Palace and for the beautiful view over the Messara Plain and Ida Mountain.
We ferry over to the dramatic island of Santorini and transfer to our hotel, for our 3-night stay.
Our full-day tour begins at Emporio Village, with its labyrinthine streets surrounding a medieval fortress. Then we visit Akrotiri, or the “Lost Atlantis”, a pre-historic town buried by a volcanic eruption and preserved by volcanic ash. There will be free time for lunch at Perissa Beach - Santorini’s most popular beach, before we proceed to the Santorini Winery, one of Europe’s oldest vineyards, to taste their distinctive wines. We then drive to the top of Santorini’s highest peak to admire the striking panoramic view of the island. We’ll finish the day at the village of Oia - the most photographed place in Greece, to enjoy its legendary sunset.
At leisure to explore the town at your own pace. See the Orthodox Cathedral, now a Byzantine museum, and marvel at the dazzling white houses topped with blue domes.
We ferry to Mykonos for a 3-night stay. Enjoy the facilities of our resort hotel and beach, stroll into the quaint village, or perhaps take the local bus to explore the small churches, chapels, glittering white houses, arcades and narrow streets.
This morning we will have an orientation tour of Mykonos, including the beautiful esplanade lined with cafes and outdoor terraces overlooking the busy harbour.
Our tour today takes us to the island of Delos - birthplace of the legendary Gods Apollo and Artemis. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delos is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece.
We fly to Athens for some time at leisure to further explore the Plaka, revisit one or more of the many attractions, or do some last-minute shopping. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner, with a folklore show.
We transfer to the airport for our flight home, direct to Toronto.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
